Mention the name Tito Rutaremara and many in Rwanda will picture a politician, an important figure in the country’s history over the past four decades and a stalwart in the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Rutaremara’s life has been shaped by political struggle and leadership, and he helped shape the country’s recovery from its darkest chapter in history – the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rutaremara, 80, took part in the liberation of the country, has been a Senator, and Ombudsman, in addition to being a senior member in the RPF, which he helped create in 1987. ALLSO READ: Mzee Tito on his 'greatest pleasure', Kagame, and his surprise 80th birthday bash But beyond his political career, who is Tito Rutaremara, or Mzee Tito as he is fondly called? What is his life like when he is not working? From his daily routine to his favorite foods and the simple pleasures that keep him grounded, this is the story of the man behind the politician—a man whose choices and experiences go far beyond the headlines. In an exclusive interview with The New Times, a few days after celebrating his 80th birthday on November 23, Rutaremara opened up about his personal time, favorite food, what his day looks like, his favorite social media, among other things. Early Life Tito Rutaremara was born in 1944 in Gatsibo, which was in Kibungo territory at that time, in today’s Eastern Province. His family was forced to flee the country in the early 1960s and escaped to Uganda after the persecution of the Tutsi, which had begun in 1950. When I went back home from school, I found that my parents had left, and I had become a refugee myself. That time started with big problems. In any refugee camp, you were not well received, and they would help you only for three months; afterwards, you depended upon yourself, Rutaremara recalled. “As I was the eldest son, the struggle of trying to get food for the family started with me; later on, we happened to get some schools, he said. Growing up as a refugee, Rutaremara didn’t have the luxury of dreaming about his future. Life as a refugee made it impossible to think about anything beyond daily survival; for him, dreaming about a career or future ambitions was out of the question. “You can't have a dream. You don't even have life; how can you have a dream? You have a dream when you are having a stable life. But for someone living in a refugee camp, with no certainty about even the most basic needs, there was no space for such aspirations,” he said. Hobbies, dreams, and aspirations Thirty years after the end of liberation struggle and the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rutaremara says the country has come a long way – though the journey ahead even longer. He has hope for the future in which every child can have a dream that can come true. Though he didn’t have the chance to dream when he was young, his vision now is focused on the growth and progress of his country. “I started dreaming when we reached here in Rwanda. At that time, I was dreaming about how we could make our country really develop like other countries. And now, looking at where other countries are, for example, in terms of artificial intelligence (AI), I wish Rwanda could participate in making all these advancements in every sector,” he said. When asked about his regrets in life, Rutaremara expressed that his only regret was that he was getting old when things are getting better and when Rwandans have more opportunities today than they ever had. He said wished he was 20 so that he could fully engage in the current era of advancements, particularly in the field of AI. He believes it’s a time of great progress, but it has only come late in his life. Although he cannot run kilometres, he said he enjoys walking a long distance and he can visit people in any part of the country, thanks to the infrastructure and easier means of transport available today. What could keep Mzee Tito awake at night? For a Chairperson of the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum, one might wonder what keeps Rutaremara awake at night. Are his thoughts consumed by national matters, family issues, or perhaps both? He revealed that during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the uncertainty about the country’s future weighed heavily on him. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, I could not sleep; I kept wondering, What if what we have built until now is collapsing? What if this thing is going to take us back? But Rwanda was able to navigate the pandemic with fewer casualties than most other countries,” he said. On a more personal level, Rutaremara’s thoughts also turn to his family. With many children, he feels the responsibility of helping them through their problems. “Well, usually one of my many children has a problem. So, I stay awake saying, what is the problem? How can we go about this?” His favorite food, social media and reading books Rutaremara’s day usually starts around 9 a.m., and his work begins at 10 a.m. Before his meetings, he often checks social media. He explained that he uses social media to check what is going on around the world, educate the youth by sharing his knowledge. “I found that the one which is easier to use, Twitter, which became X, and YouTube – well, there is also Instagram and so on – but those the two, X and YouTube, I use them to teach and contribute ideas on various subjects,” he said. ALSO READ: Bonding with youngsters, telenovelas, and dancing: The other side of Tito Rutaremara Rutaremara also added that in his free time he used to enjoy reading books, but now social media has taken over much of his time as he spends time exploring ideas and finding interesting content, especially on YouTube. “I used to read two books a week, but nowadays I can go three months without finishing a book, yet I always carry a book everywhere I go,” he added. Asked about his favorite food, Rutaremara said he liked French fries and orange soda. Rutaremara’s message to Rwandans His thoughts are dominated by a wish for the country’s development. He said Rwandan youth have an opportunity to dedicate their time to technology, particularly through AI, machine learning and the Internet of Things. He envisions a future where these technologies have improved everyday life, from agriculture to security. He said Rwanda, like any other African country, should be able to manufacture cars and make products which are imported. Rutaremara’s message to young people in Rwanda is summarized in his own slogan: “Fight the good fight with all your might.” He encouraged them to recognize the unique opportunities they have, thanks to the hard work of the previous generation. “They are in the hands of a state that was made by young people who created themselves into leaders. I would like to urge the youth to take full advantage of this rare opportunity for education, leadership, and involvement in decision-making,” Rutaremara said.
